Synthesis and properties of gemini cationic surfactants with amide spacers

Four gemini cationic surfactants (N,N'-di[2-(lauryldimethylamino)acetyl]polymethylenediamine dichloride. LAA-s-LAA, s=2,3,4,6) were synthesized by using four bis(alpha-chloroacetamide)s and N,N-dimethyllaurylamine, respectively. The molecular structures were characterized by means of IR, H-1 NMR . C-13 NMR and MS, and the behavior of their aqueous solutions was studied. The critical micell concentrations (CMC) of LAA-s-LAA were one order of magnitude lower than that of dodecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride(DTAC). With the change of the length of spacer chain (s), their CMC values change, and CMC reaches the top value at s=4.